Your Visit

 

The Ensemble Theatre is located at 78 McDougall Street, Kirribilli. The nearest cross street is Willoughby Street and the nearest train station is Milsons Point. The theatre is also accessible by ferry services to High Street or Kirribilli Wharf. Go to the Directions and Parking page under Venue for more information.

 

There is no dress code for the theatre. Some people like to dress up but mostly they come in casual clothing. Jeans, shorts, t-shirts and thongs are all acceptable as are suits, dresses and tiaras (if that’s what you fancy). Just wear what you feel comfortable in.

 

The Ensemble Theatre also incorporates Bayly’s Restaurant which offers pre-theatre dining for evening performances and post-show dining after weekday matinees and 5pm performances on Saturdays. The Restaurant is open from 6.00pm Tuesday – Saturday and following 11.00am matinees during the week. Ensemble Subscribers receive a discount on dining – just one of the many great reasons to become a subscriber. For more ideas on where to eat go to ‘Kirribilli and Surrounds’ under the Venue menu.

 

The stage is a thrust configuration with seats arranged on three sides. There are no obstructions to viewing and the actors play to all sides of the auditorium. There are 6 rows on the left and right hand blocks and 7 rows in the centre block. All the seats offer an excellent view of the stage. The foyer is accessed from street level and the auditorium doors and the seating in Row F are on level access. Toilet facilities are located downstairs in Bayly’s Restaurant and there is a foyer bar on the same level as the auditorium.

 

Most people will already have received their tickets by mail but if you need to collect your tickets at the performance you are attending, these will be available at the box office which is located to the left of the front door as you walk inside the theatre. We suggest arriving at least 15 minutes before your performance time to ensure that you have plenty of time to relax before the performance commences.

The Ensemble Theatre’s foyer bar is run by the unflappable Jim Birch who keeps a good stock of wine, beer, spirits, tea, coffee and soft drinks for anyone requiring liquid refreshment either before, during or after the performance. The bar opens 1 hour before the performance and remains open after the show as required.

 

No glass or alcohol is allowed in the auditorium. You may take bottled water into the theatre or water in a plastic cup available from the bar. Food is not allowed to be consumed in the theatre as the noise made by the packaging is disruptive to performers and other audience members alike.

 

The Ensemble Theatre provides programmes free of charge to patrons. They are located in the programme holders close to Door 1 of the auditorium and near the foyer bar. If you would like to make a small donation to help cover the cost of these programmes it is most appreciated.

 

The box office will have explained your seating to you at the time of your booking but if you would like to see where your seats are located please go to our seating plan.

 

The theatre doors are opened 15 minutes before the performance is due to start and the audience are shown to their seats by the ushers. The house lights will be dimmed when the performance is due to start. Most plays are in two acts which means that there is a 20 minute interval halfway through the performance which gives people the opportunity to stretch their legs, go to the bathroom and get a drink at the bar. An announcement will be made when it is time to go back into the theatre for the second act. At the end of the performance you are welcome to stay for a drink with the cast or you can go home.

 

You are welcome to applaud between scenes when the stage lights go down, if you feel it is appropriate to do so. Otherwise, it is customary to applaud at the end of Act One when the house lights come up and at the end of the play when the actors take their bows. If you are seeing a musical then it is usual to applaud after each song. If you are unsure about when to start clapping just wait for the rest of the audience to start – but remember some audiences can be shy and it only takes one person to get everyone else to join in.

 

The Ensemble Theatre has a hearing loop installed for people who are hard of hearing which can be used via the T-switch on your hearing aid or by borrowing one of the receivers from the box office. Audio description is offered at special performances for patrons with low vision access and there is level access for patrons with mobility problems and a disabled toilet for patrons in wheelchairs. If you need to use the disabled toilet please speak to the FOH staff to arrange access. Patrons with guide dogs are welcome to bring their dogs to the theatre. Please mention that you have special needs when booking tickets so the box office can seat you accordingly.

 

Ensemble subscribers are entitled to one free exchange per production with subsequent exchanges incurring a small charge. Non-subscribers are not able to change their tickets after purchase.

 

If you miss your performance you can purchase make-up tickets for $25.00 each to another performance. These tickets are at less than half the standard price. The Ensemble has limited seating and therefore is unable to offer complimentary make-up tickets for missed performances.